well.... if politics is going to be brought in to it, why not just ask obama for a bail out, he's throwing money in everyone else's direction, no questions ask.
I have two black snakes living in my barn, and snapped this pic of a rat snake right outside my front door yesterday
From what I understand, rat snakes are protected here in Georgia, so you might want to be careful killing them and or admitting to doing so.
on a side note Hawks are protected...